New York State Education Department

Reading First Office

LEA Professional Development Guidelines

2007-2008

The New York State Education Department Reading First Program provides the following sources of Professional Development for LEAs participating in Reading First:

A.  Attendance at the National Reading First Conference

B.  Attendance at the New York State Reading First Institutes

C.  Participation in the New York State Reading Academy

D.  Participation in the Principals' Course of the NYS Reading Academy

F.  Professional Development offered by the Building Coach

G. Attendance/participation in Reading First Professional Development offered by the Regional School Support Centers

H. Professional Development related to district-level needs such as training in specific core, intervention, and supplemental programs.

I. Attendance at State or National Conference presentations about scientifically based reading instruction in comprehension and vocabulary.

This structure provides the scope of Professional Development available to LEAs with Reading First funding.  Please note that no additional conferences (in or out of state), workshops, or consultants will be approved.  This framework provides a solid foundation of Professional Development for the LEAs and also provides equitable funding and availability to all Reading First participants.

The services of the Eastern Regional Reading First Technical Assistance Center in Florida are contracted with the federal Department of Education as a source of Professional Development and Technical Assistance to the New York State Education Department.  All requests for the use of ERRFTAC services are to be coordinated directly through the State Education Department Reading First office.